Bhandari Accuses Commission of Corruption Increase Due to Commission’s Working Style
Chairman Rajendra Kumar Bhandari of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has accused the commission’s working style of increasing corruption in the country. In a written response, he stated that the commission investigates and files cases against only a few officials who have received complaints. He added that the formation of the commission allows for quick and efficient investigations into officials involved in illegal wealth accumulation. Kathmandu, 29 Jestha.
While submitting the written reply to a writ petition filed in the Supreme Court, Bhandari claimed that the CIAA has not been effective due to the tendency of major political and bureaucratic groups to seek complaints for corruption and property investigations. In the written reply submitted to the Supreme Court, Chairman Bhandari said, “It appears that the CIAA investigates and files cases against only a very small number of officials for whom complaints have been received. As a result, groups involved in corruption and illegal wealth accumulation and concealment have flourished in the country.”
Bhandari informed that the commission was formed under his leadership because the state has been unable to investigate those hiding illegal property and engaged in corruption. Although the commission has done limited work in detecting illegal assets, it has also adopted a new policy to ensure it does not infringe on anyone’s rights. In his response sent to the Supreme Court, he stated, “It is a violation of the constitution and existing laws of Nepal to accuse the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, 2083, which has the authority to submit reports with recommendations, of interfering with the powers of the CIAA.”
Bhandari emphasized that the formation of the commission has created an environment for more prompt and efficient investigations into officials and groups engaged in illegal wealth accumulation, which will make investigative agencies more effective in pursuing cases. Both Chairman Bhandari and Prime Minister Balen Shah have expressed similar views in their responses to the writ petition filed against the commission in the Supreme Court. Prime Minister Shah also criticized the working style of the CIAA and highlighted the necessity of the commission for corruption investigations. Bhandari claimed that the CIAA has not been able to collect, investigate, or examine the properties of long-term political and high-ranking officials across the country in a short time. Therefore, he noted that the commission is actively working to make the work of regular state bodies more effective.
